Palm trees, parking and personal touch

With NBA and NHL teams in the
midst of the offseason, we asked top team executives what sits atop their to-do
list this summer as they look ahead to the 2009-10 season. Responses were
edited for clarity and brevity.

Peter BichePresident of business operationsWashington Wizards

“One personal objective this summer
is to get more involved on the season-ticket-holder side. I am spending a lot
more time working on that, meeting one-on-one with season-ticket holders and
calling them more than I have in the past. We are renewing about where we were
last year, and if we are flat, then I’ll feel pretty good. But it is a
challenge.

“Another challenge is to make sure
the business side and the basketball side are working
well together. Selling tickets and marketing doesn’t always match up with what
Ernie [Grunfeld, president of the Wizards] wants. He
needs the players, and I need them out in the community meeting with
season-ticket holders and sponsors, so that is something I am always thinking
about.”

Cyril LeederPresidentOttawa Senators

“We’re really trying to maintain our
fan and revenue base. We’re focused on sales and improving our guest
experience. One of the things we’re doing is building a new restaurant called
Bert’s. It’s modeled after a place [owner] Eugene Melnyk
goes in
Barbados
.
It’s got a Caribbean theme and will be similar
in style, with palm trees and the same menu, including their big drink: the
banana daiquiri. Bert’s caters to the value segment. We’re focusing on real
meat-and-potatoes value for our customers.

“We also have a parking lot that
holds 8,000 cars, which is great, but the egress is long. We’re concentrated on
trying to improve that. We’ve got a list of 20 recommendations from a parking
lot operator that we’re going to try to put into practice.”